Perennial Hardiness Zone

Fragrant Heirloom Flowers

Introduced to America by the Colonists, catnip has a long history in herbal apothocaries. Among a myriad of uses catnip tea is relaxing and soothing, especially effective in children. Most cats, on the other hand, are aroused by its signature potent minty scent that mimics cat pheromones, rubbing and rolling on the plant and eating it in apparent abandon. After 30 minutes or so they become temporaryily immune to its effects, a good thing as some cats can demolish the plants. Kittens, however, dislike catnip. Easy to grow, it can be pinched to cultivate a bushy form full of leaves, not flowers, preventing it from reseeding excessively. Attracts the beneficial insect soldier beetles.

Double sweet alyssums once were common on the florist's bench, and dwarf strains are the rule today, but I can't imagine a flower more charming than this; its graceful waves of honey-scented blooms are perfect for softening garden edges. Attracts beneficial insect hoverflies and others; an important insectary plant.

A fresh and sweet pure pink flower with various shades of the original rich pink. A scatter and grow easy annual that blooms in 6 weeks from seed, and can be sown twice or more a season. Best in early summer and fall as it dislikes high heat. Attracts beneficial insects to your garden.